Index tab



K. M. DAVIS Dec. 10, 1957 NDEX TAB Filed March 16, 1956 /Nl/ENTOR KENNETH M. DA VIS M #ma ATTORNEY finite tates INDEX TAB Kenneth M. Davis, Salt Lake City, Utah Application March 16, 1956, Serial No. 571,952

4 Claims. (Cl. 40-23) This invention relates to index tabs of the type used for the indexing of data. More particularly, the present invention relates to index tabs constructed of flexible transparent plastic material adapted for attachment to cards or sheets and which have a tab projecting outwardly from the edge of the card or sheet to form a sheath for a label which carries an index designation.

index tabs of the general type set forth above are constructed with two oppositely located spaced sidewalls adapted to straddle a card or sheet to which they are to be attached and to form the sidewalls of a sheath for carrying an index label. Difliculty has heretofore been experienced in uniformly positioning such index tabs on cards or sheets to provide a sheath of uniform size. If the sidewalls embrace too much of a card, the sheath formed thereby is too small to receive the index label. On the other hand, if the sidewalls of the index tab are not positioned far enough down on a card, the sheath formed thereby is too large for the index label and the danger of the label accidentally slipping out of the sheath is greatly increased. Furthermore, in the latter case, the

tab itself projects too high above the card and is in danger of being damaged in the opening and closing -of the drawer in which the card is filed.

Difhculty has also been experienced with such index tabs, particularly when attached to the pages of a book or folder, through the accidental displacement of the index label inserted in the sheath as a result of the handling of the book or folder. This diiculty is particularly serious when such index tabs are attached to a page or sheet of considerable thickness, thus making the spacing between the sidewalls of the sheath relatively great.

Users of such index tabs have also experienced difficulty in inserting index labels into the sheath formed by the two sidewalls of the tab because it has heretofore been necessary to use a label having a thickness nearly equal to the spacing between the sidewalls in order to reduce the possibility of accidentally displacing the label after it has been inserted.

In general, index tabs of the type set forth above are attached to cards or sheets by two methods. The inside surfaces of the two oppositely located sidewalls which straddle a card or sheet may be coated with a water soluble adhesive which the user moistens before attaching the index tab to an intended card, or the inside surfaces of the two oppositely located sidewalls may be coated with a non-drying pressure sensitive adhesive which is provided with a protective covering. In this case, the user must remove the protective covering from the pressure sensitive adhesive coatings before attaching the index tab to an intended card. Regardless of which of the above methods is utilized, it is necessary for the user of the index tab to insert his nger between the two sidewalls and forcibly separate them to enable the tab to be placed astraddle a card or sheet. if water soluble adhesive coatings are utilized, the sidewalls must also be forcibly separated to enable the adhesive coatings to be moistened. If the pressure sensitive adhesive coatings are utilized, the sidewalls 2,8%,595 Patented Dec. T10, i957 must be forcibly separated to facilitate the removal of the protective coverings frompthese adhesive coatings. With both methods, care must be exercised to prevent the sidewalls from contacting each other after the water soluble adhesive coatings have been moistened or after the pressure sensitive adhesive coatings have been exposed. if the sidewalls contact each other after the adhesive coatings have been prepared for attachment they may lock in an inoperative condition, requiring separation before the index tab can be placed astraddle the edge of a card or sheet.

Index tabs of the general type set forth above may ad vantageously be manufactured and sold in strips which are then cut into index tab units of desired lengths by the user. Heretofore, it has been necessary for the user to individually measure each index tab unit in the strip or roll prior to cutting to make certain that it is cut to the desired length.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved index tab of the general type set forth above which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and difficulties.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the positioning and attachment of such index tabs on cards or sheets.

A further object -of the present invention is to facilitate the insertion of index labels in such index tabs.

A still further object of the present invention is to increase the durability and dependability of index tabs of the general type set forth hereinabove.

A feature of the present invention relates to a stop means in index tabs of the type set forth above to assure uniformity of projection above cards or sheets to which the index tabs are attached and to provide index label sheaths of uniform size.

Another feature of the present invention relates to a gripping means in such index tabs for gripping index labels inserted into the index tab label sheath to reduce the possibility of accidentally displacing labels from said sheath. This gripping means in the index tab of the present invention also provides an additional advantageous feature in that it makes the index tab label sheath adaptable for receiving index labels of a variety of thicknesses.

A further feature of the present invention relates to means for rendering the above index tab stop means and index label gripping means adjustable, thereby adapting the index tab for attachment to cards or sheets having a variety of thicknesses.

A still further feature of the present invention relates to the provision of the three aforementioned features by a single means.

Anoher feature of the present invention relates to means operable under a slight external compressive force for forcibly separating the free edges of the two oppositely located sidewalls of such index tabs, thus eliminating the necessity for the index tab user to insert his finger therebetween. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the moistening of adhesive coatings or the removal of the protective covering from pressure sensitive adhesive coatings is facilitated, the placement of such index tabs astraddle cards or sheets is facilitated and the danger of the two sidewalls contacting each other after the adhesive coatings have been moistened or after the protective coverings have been removed from pressure sensitive adhesive coatings is reduced.

Still another feature of the present invention is directed to a novel index tab structure wherein means are provided to facilitate the insertion of index labels in the index tab label sheath.

An additional feature of the present invention relates to means for facilitating the cutting of index tabs into units of desired lengths from a strip or roll.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention may be more eradily understood from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof when read with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of an illustrative embodiment of the index tab of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a View in end elevation of the index tab in its open position and with the protective covering for the pressure sensitive adhesive coatings partially removed;

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation of the index tab in its open position, with the protective covering completely removed from the pressure sensitive adhesive coatings and with the index tab in placement position with respect to a record card or sheet;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the index tab in position on a record card or sheet and shows an index label in the index label sheath;

Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation as taken along lines 6 6 of Fig. 5 and shows the position of the index label in the index label sheath; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged front View of one of the perforations, the aps of which form the index tab stop means and index label gripping means of the present invention.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention disclosed in the drawing and described hereinafter is an improved index tab utilizing pressure sensitive adhesive coatings for attachment to cards or sheets. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to index tabs utilizing this method of attachment to cards or sheets and that other methods such as stapling or water soluble adhesive coatings may be utilized.

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the present invention, the index tab comprises a sheet or strip of flexible transparent plastic material such as, for example, cellulose acetate, which is folded upon itself, as by a molding operation, to provide spaced sidewall portions indicated generally at 10 and 12 which are interconnected by top portion 14 at vthe fold line. As shown in Fig. 1, sidewall portion 12 has a plurality of spaced openings or perforations 16 located an equal distance from the top portion 14 along the length of the index tab. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged front view of one perforation 16 in sidewall portion 12. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, perforations 16 are formed by making an inverted T-shaped cut, as by a stamping operation, in sidewall portion 12 and by inwardly bending the resulting right-angled corners to form flaps 17. Perforations 16 with aps 17 serve as a demarcation between the index label sheath wall portion 18 and index tab leg portion 20 in sidewall portion 12. Sidewall portion 10 may be considered to comprise an index label sheath wall portion 22 and an index tab leg portion 24 as shown in Fig. 2. An index label sheath or pocket is defined by top portion 14 and wall portions 18 and 22.

The tab structure, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is in its normal or unstressed position and it will be noted that leg portions 20 and 24 are substantially parallel and in slightly spaced relation to each other. It will be further noted that leg portion 24 is slightly longer than leg portion 2t), the purpose of which will be described below. It will also be noted that sidewall portion 22 of the index label sheath has a slight inward curvature toward sidewall portion 18. The purpose of this will also be described later.

In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the inner surfaces of leg portions 20 and 24 of the index tab are provided with an adhesive coating 28 of the non-drying pressure sensitive type, and the index tab is provided with a removable protective covering indicated generally at 30 for adhesive coatings 28. Protective covering 30 is adapted to protect these surfaces from contacting each other v.prior to usage of the index tab. Protective covering 30 may advantageously 75 be unitary in form and, as shown in the drawing, comprises side aps 32 and 34 in covering engagement with the adhesive coatings 28 and having dependent from their upper ends a fold or pleat indicated at 36 extending downwardly between flaps 32 and 34 and outwardly of 'the lower end of leg portions 20 and 24 of the index tab.

As pointed out hereinbefore, the index tab of the present invention may advantageously be attached to index cards or record sheets by means of water soluble adhesive coatings. If this type of adhesive is utilized for coatings 28 shown in the drawings, then protective covering 30 will not be required.

To facilitate the moistening of adhesive coatings or the removal of protective coverings from pressure sensitive adhesive coatings and to facilitate the positioning and attachment of the index tab of the present invention, means operable under a slight external manual compressive force are provided to forcibly separate the leg portions 20 and 24. The material used in constructing the index tab of the present invention is quite flexible. However, rigidity is obtained in the forming operation. This rigidity in the formed index tab, in addition to the fact that leg portion 24 is slightly longer than leg portion 26 and that sheath sidewall portion 22 has a slight inward curvature, permits the user to grasp the lower edge of leg portion 24 with the index finger, placing the thumb at top portion 14 and, by a slight compressive force exerted therebetween, forcibly separate leg portion 24 from leg portion 20 at the lower edges thereof. As a result of this slight compressive force, the inward curvature of sheath sidewall portion 22 will become deeper or more pronounced and will cause leg portion 24 to separate from leg portion 20 as shown in Fig. 3. While in this position, protective covering 30 may be stripped from pressure sensitive adhesive coating 28 by pulling tab 36 downwardly. If water soluble adhesive is used for coating 28, this coating may be moistened while leg portions 2@ and 24 are separated as shown in Fig. 3.

While continuing to exert this slight compressive force keeping leg portion 24 separated from leg portion 2) as shown in Fig. 4, the index tab may be placed astraddle a card yor sheet 38 yso that the inwardly protruding flaps 17 formed from perforations 16 rest on the top of c'ard 38. Because the leg portions 20 and 24 are forcibly kept apart by this slight compressive force, the danger of the two leg portions contacting each other after the pressure sensitive ladhesive coatings are exposed and while the tab is being positioned on the card 38 is greatly reduced. Bccause the flaps 17 form a stop for the index tab, no special care need be exercised in placing the index tab astraddlc the card or sheet and the index ltab may -be quickly and easily positioned. After positioning the index ta'b astraddle card 38 as shown in Fig. 4, leg portion 20 will adhere to card 38 by Ameans of the pressure lsensitive -adll-esive coating 28 which was exposed when protective covering 30 was removed. The thumb and forenger may then be released, 4causing leg portion 24 which is also covered with :a pressure `sensitive yadhesive coating 28 `and Iwhich was exposed with covering 30 was removed, `to adhere to the opposite side of card 38, thus aflixing the index tab 'rmly on the card. To more rmly afx the index tab to card 38 as shown in Fig. 6, a slight pressure may be exerted on the outside surfaces of leg portions 20 and 24.

In addition to forming a `stop to facilitate the positioning of the index tab -on card 38, the inwardly protruding flaps 17 lformed from perforations 16 yalso serve as a gripping means for holding the index la-bel inserted into the index label sheath securely in place. As shown in lFig. 6, index label 19 is forced upwardly against top portion 14 and 'against the inner surface of sheath sidewall portion 22 lthrough pressure exerted by the spring action of aps 1,7, thus reducing the possibility that index label 19 will be accidentally displaced from the sheath.

Because the material from which the index tab is formed is quite flexible and because rigidity is obtained in forming the index tab, aps 17 will exert this spring action against the index label, and through this spring action an additional advantageous feature is obtained. The inwardly protruding corners which form flaps 17 will compress if the index label is attached to a very thin card or sheet by the application of pressure to the outside surfaces of sheath sidewall portions 18 and 22. This renders the index tab adjustable and adaptable for attachment to cards or sheets having7 a Wide range of thicknesses.

An additional advantageous feature is obtained from the slight inward curvature of sheath sidewall 22, that being to facilitate the insertion of -index labels into the lsheath formed by sidewall portions 18 and 22 with top portion 14. As shown in Fig. 5, the sheath opening is larger -at the top than at the bottom near the card to which the index tab is attached. This larger top opening Iwill permit the user to insert the bottom corner of the index label into this larger top opening and then slide the label forward and downward into the sheath.

It is :advantageous to manufacture index tabs of the type described herein in strips or rolls. To facilitate the cutting of these strips or rolls into index tab units of desired lengths by the user, the index tab of the present invention is provided with a scale printed on the lower part leg portion 20 as shown in Fig. 1. This scale may, for example, be a 1A inch scale and will permit the user to cut index tab units of uniform desired lengths without the necessity of measuring each individual index tab `to be cut. If the index tab utilizes the pressure sensitive adhesive method of attachment to card-s or sheets where a protective covering 30 is provided, this scale may vbe located on the lower part of protective covering 30 as shown in Fig. l.

It is to be understood that the Iabove-described embodiment is but illustrative of the present invention; numerlous other arrangements and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An index tab comprising a unitary strip .of stiff but exible transparent material deformably folded upon itself to form two slightly spaced and oppositely located members in approximately parallel relationship joined at the fold line, one of said members being slightly wider from said fold line to the free edge thereof than the other of said members, said one of said members having a portion with memory thereof towards -a slight inward curvature to the other of said members intermediate the bend and the edge of the shorter of said -two members, the sti but flexible character of ksaid members adapting said index tab operative upon the applic-ation of an external manual compressive force between the -free edge of said one member and said fold line to forcibly separate said members at the free edges thereof.

2. The index tab defined in claim 1 wherein said other of said members has a plurality of inverted T-shaped perforations intermediate said fold lline and the free edge thereof and longitudinally spaced along said other of said members parallel to said fold line, the right-angled seg- Iments in said -other ,of said members resulting from each of -said perforations being -deformably bent toward said one of said members.

3. An index tab comprising a unitary strip of stiff but `flexible transparent material deformably folded upon itself to form two slightly spaced and opposit-ely located members joined at the fold line, said members being an unequal width from s-aid fold line to the free edges thereof and defining an index label sheath for said index tab and a pair of unequal length legs adapting said index tabs for attachment to the opposite sides of a card or sheet, the portions of said members defining said legs being substantially parallel to each other, the portions of at least one of said members defining said index label sheath having a slight inward curvature toward the other of said members, the stiff but flexible character of said members adapting said index tab operative upon the application of an external manual compressive force between sa-id fold line and the free edge of the longer of said pair of legs to forcibly separate said legs Iat the free edges thereof and the resiliency resulting from the stiff but flexible `character of said members causing said leg members to return to their parallel position when said manual compressive force is removed.

4. The index ltab defined -in claim 3 wherein one of said members has a plurality of inverted T-shapedy perforations intermediate said fold line and the free edge thereof and longitudinally spaced along said one of said members parallel to said fold line, the right-angled segments in said one of said members resulting from each of said lperforations being deformably -bent to apply a compressive force toward the other of said members, the lower edges of said rightaangled segments adapted for cooperation with the edge of a card or sheet to which said index tab is attached and the corners of said rightangled segments adapted to grip van index label inserted in said index label sheath.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 230,937. Hammond Aug. 10, 1880 794,749 Simonson July 18, 1905 925,154 Bryant e June 15, 1909 1,524,478 Hunter Jan. 27, 1925 1,983,878 Rand Dec. 11, 1934 2,507,659 Zalkind May 16, 1950 2,623,311 Condon e- Dec. 30, 1952 

